In This Section

In Memoriam

Charles Morley (1914-2005)

Joseph H. Lynch, November 2005

Charles Morley, professor of history emeritus in the Department of History at Ohio State University, died on March 29, 2005. Morley was 91 years old. He graduated from the Ohio State University in 1935. He received the MA in 1936 and the PhD in 1940 from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to his appointment at Ohio State University, he taught at the universities of North Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. In 1943–44 he was a research analyst with the Office of Strategic Services. In 1944 he became a faculty member at Ohio State University, where he remained until his retirement in 1981. He was promoted to the rank of professor in 1958.

Charles Morley pioneered the study of Polish and eastern European history at Ohio State University. In 1951 Syracuse University Press published his Guide to Research in Russian History, which was long considered a seminal work in the field. In 1959 Columbia University Press published his Portrait of America: Letters of Henry Sienkewicz, which was reprinted by Octagon Books in 1979. He was fluent in Polish, Russian, French, and German. He traveled to Russia and eastern Europe on numerous occasions, both for research and for scholarly conferences. In 1967 he received a Fulbright-Hayes Fellowship for research in Poland. He was the author of more than a dozen articles and delivered numerous scholarly papers. He was also an enthusiastic and well-received teacher of undergraduates. Nine students completed doctoral degrees under his direction.

Morley was active in the historical profession as well as within the university. He served as vice chair and acting chair of the Department of History. For about 25 years he edited or co-edited the eastern European section of the American Historical Review's listing of recently published articles. He was a cooperative colleague and generous with his time, energy and talents. In 1980 the Ohio Academy of History gave him its Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding service to the profession. He is survived by his wife Ruth and his son Harold.